It’s the ultimate goal of nearly every film released to connect with an audience and provide a defining cinematic experience, with many fans showing their appreciation for films in numerous ways. One of the most distinct and largely memorable ways that a film can become widely beloved and acclaimed over the years is through the title of cult classic. The title is often reserved for films that were initially written off or overlooked by audiences before growing a dedicated fanbase who are quick to share the film’s undeniable yet overlooked qualities.
Despite only being a quarter of the way through, the 21st century has already seen the release of a wide array of exceptional cult classic films. Several of these films have risen so highly in terms of popularity and acclaim that they are among the most influential and iconic of their respective eras. While any beloved gem is going to have its dedicated audience of fans, only the truly perfect cult classics will continue to maintain their status throughout the rest of the century and beyond.
10
‘The Adventures of Tintin’ (2011)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Easily one of the most distinctly individual yet underrated films from Steven Spielberg‘s lineup, The Adventures of Tintin was initially overlooked by audiences due to its non-traditional visuals and prospects as an animated film. However, Spielberg’s only animated film makes the absolute most out of the medium, creating high-energy and explosive action setpieces that feel like a classic Indiana Jones story without any limits to what is possible with the action.
The origin story of the classic Belgian comic characters is not only highly respectful to the source material but also transforms it to the modern era in a way that helps it stand on its own. The film also saw several controversies that stopped it from becoming a traditional classic, such as being disqualified from the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and a long-awaited sequel in development hell. Still, the film’s undeniable positives and cheery animated energy have helped it garner a cult following in the years since its release.
9
‘Sorry to Bother You’ (2018)
Directed by Boots Riley
Sorry to Bother You wears its loud and bombastic personality on its sleeve, not being afraid of who it alienates as it tells its chaotic and absurdly hilarious satire of capitalism. From consistently goofy visual gags to a nonsensical and unpredictable final act, the film somehow balances its most nonsensical qualities with compelling and relevant social commentary and messaging. It is an acquired taste, yet those who connect with the film’s style have not been shy about giving the film the highest of praises.
Nearly every scene in the film provides something to either the overarching comedy and absurdity of the situation or the dynamic social messaging at play, many times accomplishing both seamlessly. Behind the goofy and chaotic exterior is a largely compelling story about the corrupting abilities of power and the highly despicable nature of culture at the top of the pecking order. As its messages grow more relevant as the years go by, so does the film’s cult status.
8
‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’ (2010)
Directed by Edgar Wright
For the most part, live-action adaptations of graphic novels fail to recapture the charm and inherent positives that made the source material such a hit, yet Scott Pilgrim vs. The World stands out as a massive exception to the rule. Through Edgar Wright‘s exceptional directing and visual style, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World often feels like an extension of the original graphic novel, matching the tone, characterization, and overall style perfectly.
From shot-for-shot recreations of iconic moments from the series to pitch-perfect pacing that makes the story feel entertaining and not rushed for a feature-length experience, the film is a delightfully entertaining experience from start to finish. Despite its initial disappointment as a box-office bomb, Scott Pilgrim quickly became one of the defining cult classics of the 2010s and one of the highlights of Wright’s already spectacular career. The film proved to be such a success in the modern era that almost the entire original cast came back to voice the characters in the animated series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
7
‘Hundreds of Beavers’ (2024)
Directed by Mike Cheslik
While the style was largely popular throughout the early 20th century, the classic slapstick comedy has largely fallen out of favor in the 21st century, outside the occasional cartoon love letter. However, Hundreds of Beavers immediately made its name known as a dominant force throughout low-budget comedy through its embracing of the manic, cartoon antics of slapstick in live-action. The film is simultaneously a return to form and reminiscent of classic slapstick while also feeling wholly modern in its execution and sense of humor.
Between the goofy mascot costumes used for each of the animals and the highly expressive action and rising stakes of the film, Hundreds of Beavers became an instant critical hit that was destined to be a cult classic due to its small indie film reach. Still, no other film released in the 2020s has made such massive waves as a defining cult classic experience as much as this goofy slapstick comedy triumph.
6
‘Under the Skin’ (2014)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
While director Jonathan Glazer recently received massive acclaim and awards for his haunting war film, The Zone of Interest, his previous film, Under the Skin, similarly explored a tone of bleak and subtle dread. The film blends fiction and reality until it creates a highly unnerving and unsettling experience that never fails to keep the audience on edge and questioning the evil nature of what they’re seeing. Further amplified by a brilliant lead performance from Scarlet Johansson, the surreal sci-fi horror film quickly garnered a massive cult following.
Under the Skin is at its best when it keeps its finer details hidden through an alluring shroud, knowing that allowing the audience to fill in the blanks of its disturbing content makes for a much more terrifying and unnerving experience. Its approach to horror is wholly singular in its approach and style, focusing much more on visual confusion and allusion to create an alienating yet rewarding cinematic experience. However, it’s the very abstract aspects of its filmmaking that help catapult it into cult classic status.
5
‘Donnie Darko’ (2001)
Directed by Richard Kelly
One of the defining prospects that leads to film becoming largely overlooked upon release but laying the groundwork for a cult classic legacy is more abstract and non-traditional storytelling. Breaking the very conventions of structure and filmmaking is exactly the facet that made Donnie Darko a quintessential cult classic experience for the 21st century. The film’s various meanings and deeply intelligent storytelling have given it a long-lasting legacy and status as an icon of 2000s film culture.
Donnie Darko‘s alluring and confrontational approach to storytelling gives it a compelling energy that not only sets it apart from its contemporaries but also revolutionized how independent fantasy mysteries could be told. The film isn’t interested in spelling out all the answers to its audience, simply giving the pieces and allowing audiences to come to their conclusions about the strange characters and emotional fate of Donnie. Few films are as symbolic and relevant to the culture and allure of early 21st-century independent cinema quite like Donnie Darko.
4
‘The Raid: Redemption’ (2012)
Directed by Gareth Evans
One of the most common trends in modern action seen in films like John Wick and The Beekeeper is emphasizing the choreography and entertainment of a single man taking down hordes of villains. One of the most prominent and influential films when it comes to this approach is the Indonesian action film The Raid: Redemption, easily one of the most cathartic and entertainingly brutal action films of the 21st century.
Each scene is a glorious display of martial arts action, top-of-the-line choreography, and concepts that are equal parts entertaining as they are viciously violent. The Raid: Redemption understands the cathartic and limitless potential of action from a fundamental level, making each scene more invigorating than the last and breaking barriers of what international action films could do. While its status as an Indonesian film limited it from reaching a large audience, the film has become a massive cult classic in the world of action filmmaking.
3
‘American Psycho’ (2000)
Directed by Mary Herron
A largely divisive horror film upon its initial release, American Psycho‘s reputation quickly grew over the years from a strange alienation from the already controversial novel to one of the most iconic cult classics of the 21st century. The film blends psychological horror, graphic and unnerving concepts, and even touches of comedy and satire to create an exceptionally well-crafted experience from beginning to end.
While the film has famously had its satirical messages and meaning diluted by certain fans, it doesn’t take away from its well-crafted nature and timeless execution. Christian Bale‘s lead performance as Patrick Bateman is legendary, blending charisma, soulless sadism, and even hilariously inept attributes to create an all-time icon of 21st-century horror. Many films have attempted to recapture the inherent magic and allure of American Psycho in the wake of its release, yet none have come close to the fine-tuned mastery of this brilliantly timeless satire.
2
‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)
Directed by Michel Gondry
An emotional juggernaut from beginning to end, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a mind-blowing exploration of love and connection that never fails to leave its audience teary-eyed and moved. The film has a type of ingenious, truly special concept that cuts to the very core of the human spirit and love, amplified by the yearning and raw emotion that only a filmmaking masterpiece can provide. The beautifully crafted film is a symbolic representation of exactly what was possible in the modern era, showing audiences exactly what 21st-century filmmaking could be.
In the over 20 years since its release, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has grown simply from being a largely beloved cult classic into one of the most iconic and influential romance films of the 21st century. The film’s influence and legacy know no bounds as it finds a way to connect and touch the hearts of nearly everyone who bears witness to its greatness. Eternal Sunshine will only grow its status as an icon of 21st-century romance and sci-fi as the century continues.
1
‘Oldboy’ (2003)
Directed by Park Chan-wook
One of the greatest thrillers of all time and the magnum opus of South Korean director Park Chan-wook, Oldboy revolutionized not only the thriller genre with its top-of-the-line execution, but also action and mystery movies. It is gloriously tense and highly engaging from beginning to end, not only sporting some of the best action filmmaking of the century, but also a deeply compelling and emotional story filled with an engaging mystery and shocking twists.
It’s difficult to understate the inherent mastery that Oldboy displays in every second of its filmmaking, being a cinematic achievement whose influence is still incredibly dominant ever since its release. It hasn’t lost any of its luster and filmmaking prowess in the years since its release, fully living up to its massive reputation and cult classic status as one of the best movies that the 21st century has to offer. The only thing keeping the film as a cult classic as opposed to a traditional classic is the inherent barrier of international films. Yet, Oldboy‘s inherent perfection proves that such a barrier is only a limit to exploring filmmaking greatness.